What Is Psychoeducation & Why Is It Important?

What Is Psychoeducation?

Psychoeducation provides patients, families, and groups with information, resources, and skills relating to a specific mental health diagnosis or condition. Psychoeducation can be provided at the individual, family, or group level and is essential in treatment and advocacy.

Psychoeducation first became popular during the “Mental Hygiene Movement” of the early 1900s and again during deinstitutionalization in the 1950s. Over time, psychoeducation gained traction as research proved that it helps improve mental health outcomes and strengthen support systems. Psychoeducation helps improve treatment, build support, and increase community awareness.¹

Types of Psychoeducation

Psychoeducation tends to occur in inpatient or outpatient treatment settings, healthcare settings, and therapy groups. It can be a helpful tool for helping individuals, families, and groups gain the knowledge and skills they need. Mental health professionals have extensive knowledge and training about mental health disorders and are naturally fit to provide psychoeducation.

However, one does not need a mental health degree to provide quality psychoeducation. Two examples are peer educators and healthcare providers. Peer educators have been diagnosed and treated for a mental health concern. Because they have personal experience, they can share their experiences and provide knowledge and support. Healthcare professionals can educate their patients about potential symptoms and treatment options.

Here are a few common types of psychoeducation: 

• Individual: This includes 1:1 work with a qualified mental health professional. Participants can receive customized education and coping skills tailored to their specific symptoms and needs.
• Group: Group psychoeducation includes support groups, workshops, and psychoeducational therapy groups. The benefit of this type of psychoeducation is that participants can receive a great deal of information while learning from and supporting each other through the process.²
• Family: Family psychoeducation is an option when families are affected by mental health concerns or when family education can help members provide additional support. Family psychoeducation is a collaborative approach that can improve outcomes for the individual, as well as improve relationships within the family.³

Examples of Psychoeducation

Psychoeducation can occur in many different settings. Psychoeducation can occur anytime someone with specialized knowledge and training about mental health provides information to others. Still, the common goal is educating and providing support and tools to those in need.

Examples of psychoeducation include:

• A therapist explaining to their client that it is normal for an individual to feel worse when they initially begin therapy
• A community workshop about postpartum mental health for a group of new parents
• A healthcare provider teaching a patient about the symptoms of depression and providing resources and referrals
• A couples therapist providing tools and techniques for effective communication
• A trauma therapist explaining the impact of trauma on the nervous system and providing a client with tools for emotional regulation
• A psychoeducational support group that provides weekly group sessions where education, tools, and resources for navigating a specific diagnosis are shared
• A therapist providing printed materials, brochures, or pamphlets with signs, symptoms, and tools relating to a specific condition
• A peer support person sharing information and support to help someone cope with a new diagnosis

The Goal of Psychoeducation

Psychoeducation aims to provide knowledge, resources, and tools to improve mental health outcomes for individuals, families, and groups. This can include reducing mental health stigma to improve relationships and increase access to treatment.

Here are seven goals of psychoeducation:

1. Reducing Stigma

Stigma can be a significant barrier to people seeking the care they need. This can be especially true in geographical areas or families where asking for help is discouraged. Education about the frequency of mental health concerns, signs and symptoms, and available treatment options can help decrease stigma and increase access to care.

2. Becoming Informed About Proper Care

Patients and families must be informed about care when dealing with a mental health condition. Psychoeducation can cover treatment options, what to expect from treatment, and how to actively participate in care. To provide mental health treatment, it is required that professionals make sure clients are informed before getting their consent.

3. Providing Tools & Resources

Psychoeducation involves teaching others about tools and coping skills they can use to manage their symptoms. This could include scales or tracking tools for monitoring symptoms, which is helpful information for therapists when planning treatment. It can also include other resources or referrals that may be helpful.

4. Improving Treatment Outcomes

An educated patient better understands their condition, symptoms, and its impact on their life. Psychoeducation can explain the evidence supporting their treatment and help individuals set realistic expectations about outcomes and progress. It also gives patients a voice in decision-making when they are more informed about options.

5. Building Coping Skills

Psychoeducation provides tools, skills, and strategies for tracking and managing symptoms and improving overall wellness and quality of life. Effective coping skills can help people reduce the impact of their disorder and function better in their lives and relationships. This also gives people a sense of empowerment, allowing them to participate in their healing process.

6. Increasing Support

The increased understanding and compassion from psychoeducation can increase support systems and family relationships. Family members and other support people gain knowledge and understanding that can help them communicate more effectively, express empathy, and take things less personally.

7. Advocating for Funding & Legislation

Knowledge and education about the impact of mental health can help communities strengthen their support for mental health programs and funding. Being well-educated equips community members with solid and convincing evidence for their advocacy work. A solid understanding of mental health concerns can facilitate confidence and communication skills.

Why Is Psychoeducation So Important?

Psychoeducation has been shown to improve mental health treatment outcomes. It provides the information and tools individuals need to deal with challenging conditions. Family members who receive psychoeducation are better equipped to understand, support, and remain compassionate for their loved ones.

At the community level, psychoeducation can equip the general public with knowledge about signs and symptoms so they can seek treatment more quickly if needed. It also provides communities with information on advocacy for funding and legislation that supports mental health care and treatment. Psychoeducation has a significant and far-reaching impact on mental health and is an important part of mental health care.

Is Psychoeducation Effective?

Evidence shows that large-scale psychoeducation can reduce stigma, increase understanding within communities, and lead to better treatment outcomes and utilization of resources. It can also provide helpful self-care tools and coping skills to prevent the worsening of symptoms.⁷

Many studies have shown psychoeducation effectively improves treatment outcomes for many mental health concerns. In one study examining people with bipolar disorder, psychoeducation was found to reduce the number of hospitalizations within four years by 55%.⁴ Psychoeducation also improves social skills in youth with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and reduces symptoms of schizophrenia.^5,6

Who Can Benefit From Psychoeducation?

Any individual who is struggling with their mental health can benefit a great deal from psychoeducation. It can help them to understand their condition and build a toolbox of coping skills to help them improve their symptoms. Seeing a loved one struggle with their mental health can be difficult for family members. Psychoeducation provided to family members not only helps them better support the patient but helps them cope as well.

Psychoeducation & Being an Ally

Becoming educated about mental health is a great way to be an ally for loved ones and others. Psychoeducation can help increase understanding, compassion, and empathy and improve communication. It can also highlight the importance of seeking help and encouraging others to seek treatment.

How to Find a Psychoeducational Therapist

There are several ways to receive psychoeducation. An online therapist directory or online therapy platform can help those interested in treatment find therapists. Other options include talking with a primary care or other healthcare provider, attending community events, or reading materials from trusted sources.

In My Experience

In my experience as a perinatal mental health and trauma therapist, psychoeducation is a critical part of the process. When clients come to me for therapy, I spend the first several sessions providing psychoeducation. This can include information about what they can expect from the treatment process, how treatment works, and knowledge about the nervous system, brain, and body. I also use psychoeducation to equip clients with tools for staying calm, centered, and grounded during and between sessions. Tools can include mindfulness, breath practice, and tracking their symptoms and triggers. Psychoeducation is a critical part of therapy, and there’s not a day that goes by that I do not provide psychoeducation.